3-Cushion
BRANDENBURG - The joy of his victory was hidden behind a mask of disappointment. Filippos Kasidokostas, the European titleholder, survived the match against Jérôme Barbeillon in a very exciting final (40-39, after the Frenchman had spoiled two match points). The Greek responded after his win: ,,I cannot enjoy the game anymore.''
He showed his backhand and explained: ,,It's not normal, the way I'm shaking before the stroke. Therefore, I can’t enjoy the game for this moment. It is terrible when you have this problem. I use to make a few movements before, like all players do, but I must strike after two times, because of the terrible shaking.’’
He has no explanation, but it is not only the tension. I have it during the practice as well, so it is not the pressure. Maybe a doctor can help me, because now I don’t like to play billiards.''
The reigning champion won in any case, against an opponent who showed his high class in this championship. Barbeillon defeated Alp and Mas in the preliminary round, he won in the first round against Eddy Leppens and now had almost pushed Filippos Kasidokostas out of the tournament. Two match balls, both in hard positions, were not enough for the win. Kasidokostas finally finished it, after he had missed a match point as well.
The leading up to the quarterfinals was from high quality: Marco Zanetti demonstrated his great form again in a match without any opposition. Martin Horn had made only fifteen points when he came at the finish (40-15), Zanetti decided the match in sixteen innings.
Dick Jaspers also had a walk in the park against Lütfi Cenet (40-18 in 20) after a 23-10 lead at the break. Christian Rudolph, the revelation of the tournament so far, had another great win, now against Sameh Sidhom: 40-8 in 17.
Murat Naci Coklu kept his best guns for the second part of his match against Jérémy Bury, whom he defeated in an exciting final phase.
Frédéric Caudron edged his Dutch team mate Jean Paul de Bruijn 40-28 in a moderate match (31 innings). Dani Sánchez was thrown out of the tournament by the powerful Roland Forthomme. Glenn Hofman defeated Rui Costa and meets Kasidokostas in his next game.
The matches for the quarter finals:
Kasidokostas-Hofman
Rudolph Forthomme
Jaspers-Zanetti
Coklu Caudron.